Valve for spray controlling apparatus



Nov. 4, 1952 E. M. MOREHOUSE VALVE FOR SPRAY CONTROLLING APPARATUS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed March 18, 1946 Nov. 4, 1952 E. M. MOREHOUSE 2,616,660

VALVE FOR SPRAY CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1946 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 gwuam tom Izyne ff. j'fora flaus'e Patented Nov. 4, 1952 VALVE. FOR SPRAY CONTROLLING APPARATUS Eugene M. Morehouse, Tujunga, Califi, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to burgh and Joseph G. Donaldson,

Angeles, Calif.

Albert S. Van Denboth of Los Application March 18, 1946., Serial No. 655.121

I 3 Claims. 1 p

This invention relates to spray nozzles for dishwashing apparatus of the type having a manual control whereby the jet or spray ejected from the nozzle may be either detergent-containing or rinsing at the will or" the user. An apparatus with which such a nozzle is particularly useful is disclosed by way of example in the co-pending application of Eugene M. Morehouse, the present applicant, and Harold J. LeVesconte, Serial No. 645,187 filed February 2, 19%, since abandoned.

The prior art contains numerous examples of device for dishwashing in which a soap container is in communication with a water supply and in which a hose extends from the water supply and soap container to a spray nozzle adapted to be held in the hand of the user. Generally such devices employ a three way valve mounted adjacent the water supply by manipulation of which either the entire stream of water may be diverted through the soap chamber and thence into the hose or it may be directed directly into the hose for rinsing purposes. This arrangement possesses the disadvantage that before perfect rinsing action is achieved, the entire hose must be flushed out with consequent waste of soap, water and time.

Another group of devices known in the art include a soap container in the spray nozzle with a manually operable valve to divert the stream either through the soap chamber for a washing action or past it for a rinsing action. Such devices are deficient in that if the soap chamber is made sufiiciently large to make it unnecessary to recharge it during the average dishwashing operation it becomes unwieldy and if made small enough for ready handling, it must be recharged frequently.

With these deficiencies in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle tor dishwashing aids, adapted to receive separate streams of detergent solution and clear water and in which nozzle, means is provided whereby either a detergent-containing jet or spray or a jet or spray of clear rinsing Water is ejected at the will of the. user.

transmission of heat thereby permitting the use of water at temperatures above that which could be borne by the hand of the user with consequent better sterilization of the dishes thus washed by reason of such higher temperatures and because wiping of the dishes is thereby made unnecessary.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a spray nozzle of the above character which includes valve means constructed and arranged to be self cleaning whereby flow obstruction by reason of clots of undissolved detergent is avoided.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a spray nozzle of the above type in which the valve means is automatically closed by the pressure of the detergent-containing fluid unless purposely held open against such pressure and in which the valve means is so constructed and arranged that the effort required to overcome the fluid pressure is not so great as to be objectionable to the user.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a spray nozzle having the above desirable characteristics which is composed of few parts,

which may be readily assembled and disassembled and in which the parts are so designed as to be susceptible of economical manufacture.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a spray nozzle of the above type which is small in size, light in weight and attractive in appearance and in which the controlling element is so disposed as to be convenient for manipulation.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective partly sectional view of a spray nozzle in which is incorportated an embodiment of, the objectives of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the valve means in open position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view generally similar to Fig. 2 but showing the valve means in closed position;

Fii 's- 4, 5, 6, 7, B and 9 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on the lines 4-4, 5-5, 6-6,,1-1, 8-8 and 9-9 of. Fig. 2';

Figs. 10 and 11 are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views generally similar to 2 but showing a modified construction of jet pump construction; the valve means being shown in open and closed positions respectively;

Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 10, and;

Fig. 13 is an exploded view of certain of the component parts of the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive.

As here shown, the nozzle comprises an elongated body member I having a substantially rectangular mid-portion 2 as best shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 13 and which extends throughout the major portion of its length. At one end the body member I is provided with an externally threaded portion 3 of a diameter slightly larger than the major axis of the rectangular mid-section 2. Projecting from the end face of the threaded portion 3 is a tube 4 which within the body member I communicates with a bore 5 extending longitudinally of the body to the other end thereof. 1'.

Also disposed parallel to the tubed and projecting from the end of threaded portion 3 of the body member I is a second tube 5 which within the body member I communicates with a longitudinal bore I spaced from and disposed parallel to the bore 5 and extending to the opposite end of the body member. The projecting ends of the tubes 4 and 6 are adapted to be engaged by the conduit portions 8 and 9 formed in a flexible hose III which channels at the other end of the hose are adapted to be connected respectively to the water and detergent discharge ports of an apparatus such as disclosed in the above mentioned co-pending application. So far as the present invention is concerned such attachment, while preferable, is not absolutely necessary since it will be apparent hereinafter that the detergent containing reservoir need not of necessity be in constant communication with the source of water supply so long as sufficient pressure exists. As here shown, the hose I is generally oval in cross section and at the point of engagement with the tubes 4 and 6 it is provided with an enlarged portion I I of circular cross section which terminates in a radial flange portion I2. A nut I3 encircling the portion I I and engaging the threaded portion 3, additionally engages the side face of the flange I2 and clamps the flange firmly against the end of the body member I thus forming a fluid tight joint between the adjacent end of the hose I0 and the body member I.

At its other end, the body member I is provided with an externally threaded end portion I 4 on which is threaded one end of a nipple I to the other end of which a spray head I6 is attached as by means of threads II. Adjacent their junctures with the rectangular mid-portion, the end portions 3 and I4 of the body members are provided with radially extending peripheral flange portions I8 and I9 respectively, the diameter of the flange I8 being slightly greater than that of the flange I9 and being provided with notched portions I8, I8. Mounted on and extending between the flange portions IB and I9 is a tubular sleeve member formed preferably from a suitable plastic or other material having a low rate of heat conductivity. The sleeve 29 is shaped at one end to accommodate the contour of the flange I8 to prevent relative rotation and is further provided with shoulders 2|, 2| adapted to engage the inner end face of the flange I8. The other end of the sleeve 20 overhangs the outer end face of the flange I9 sufiiciently to be engaged by the adjacent end of the nipple I5 and the sleeve is thus clamped against endwise movement. It

is particularly to be noted that except for the contact with the flanges I8 and I9, the sleeve 20 is spaced from the body member I and hence very little heat will be transmitted from the body member to the sleeve and that because of this, extremely hot water (for example 140 F.) may be employed without causing discomfort to the user.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-9, the bore 5 terminates in a short reduced diameter, tapered orifice 22 the outer end of which is surrounded by an annular recess 23 the inner diameter of which is inclined towards the orifice 22 with consequent formation of a thin annular edge 24. The end face of the end portion I4 of the body member is provided with a shallow, centrally disposed, circular recess 25 in Which a disc 25 is held seated by engagement with an annular shoulder 21 on the interior of the nipple I 5. The disc 26 is provided with a longitudinal bore 23 which is slightly larger than, and is held in alignment with, the edge 24 of the tapered orifice 22 by a dowel pin 26 (see Fig. 13).

Formed in the bottom of the recess 25 is a smaller circular recess 29 from the bottom of which latter recess the bore 1 extends to its point of juncture with the tube 6. Mounted in the bore I and held therein by the disc 26 is a stationary valve seat member 30 having a centrally disposed bore 3| and a peripheral groove 32 in which is seated a resilient sealing ring 33 adapted to effect a fluid tight engagement with the wall of the bore I. At the end adjacent the disc 25 the member 30 is provided with a conical' counterbore 34 in communication with the bore 3 I, which counterbore at its larger end adjacent the disc 26 is intersected by a series of transverse slots 35. Thus fluid flowing through the tube 6 will enter the bore I and after passing valve means hereinafter to be described, will enter the bore 3| and the counterbore 34 and thence Will pass through the slots 35 into the recess 29 from whence it will be conducted through a cross channel 36 into the annular recess 23.

The valve means includes a valve member 31 slidably mounted in the bore 1, said member 31 being provided at its mid-portion with a wide, shallow, peripheral groove 38. The bore I intermediate its ends is intersected by a slot 39 extending from the edge face of the rectangular portion of the body member I remote from the bore 5 to a point beyond the remote side of the bore I. One end of the valve member 3! reciprocates in that portion of the bore I between the slot 39 and the tube 6 and is provided with a peripheral groove 40 in which is seated a resilient sealing ring 4I arranged to provide a fluid tight seal with the wall of the bore I. The other end of the valve member 3! reciprocates in that portion of the bore I between the slot 39 and the valve seat member 30 and is likewise provided with a peripheral groove 42 in which a resilient sealing ring 43 is mounted for provision of a fluid tight seal between the valve member and the wall of the bore 1.

The wall member 31 near the end thereof adjacent the valve seat member 33 is provided with a reduced diameter portion 44 across Which a bore 45 extends, which bore intersects a bore 46 extending axially of the valve member to the other end thereof. Beyond the reduced diameter portion 44 the valve member is provided with a frusto-conical portion 41 adapted to engage the valve seat formed by the juncture of the bore 3I and the inner face of the valve seat member 30 Beyond the frusto-conical portion the valve member 31 terminates in a second reduced diameter portion 48 adapted uponclosure of the valve, to enter the bore 3| and dislodge any obstruction that may lodge there, such as undissolved detergent and the like. The bore 3| is the rate of flow controlling means, and in actual practice is much smaller in diameter than here shown. Experience has shown that a diameter of approximately .050" is generally satisfactory but for clearness of illustration it has seemed preferable to enlarge it somewhat. It will be seen that when the valve member is unseated, as shown in Fig. 2, fluid entering the bore 1 will flow through the bores 46 and 45 and thence will reach the annular recess 23 through the path hereinbefore recited.

Slidably mounted on the side walls of the rectangular midportion of the body member i in the region of the slot 39 is an inverted U-shaped member 49 having intermediate its leg portions a depending tongue portion 50 adapt ed to enter the slot 39, the free end of said tongue member being also of inverted U-shape config uration and engaging the reduced diameter portion of the valve member 31 formed by the groove 38 and having substantially the same width as the groove 38. The tongue member thus engages the valve member 3Tand provides a means whereby the valve member may be shifted to and from its opened and closed positions. The sleeve member 20 is provided with a slot 5! through which a shank portion 52 of a-hand piece 53 extends into engagement with the outer face of the member 49 and is held thereon by a screw 54 passing through the hand piece 53 and threaded into the member 49 and the member 45 is held seated upon the body member I by the engagement of its outer surface with the inner surface of the sleeve 20 as most clearly shown in Fig. '7. Preferably the adjacent faces of the hand piece 53 and member 49 areprovided with an a propriate interlock to prevent relative rotary movement between them such as a groove 55 on the member 49 engageable with a corresponding tongue or rib in the face of the hand piece 53. The hand piece 53 is formed of plastic or other material having a lowrate of heat conduction and preferably has a perimeter sufficiently large to cover the slot 55 in all positions incident to operation of the valve.

If desired, means may be provided to lock the valve in open or closed positions. Such a means by way of example may be formed by providing a spring detent 56 formed of sheet metal bent into a shallow V-shape with the ends engaging the side walls of the groove 38 in the valve member 31 and with the apex engaging one or more shallow transverse grooves 51 in the bottom of the slot 39.

When the device is in use there is a constant stream of hot water passing through the bore 5 and out through the spray head 16. When the valve member 31 is shifted to open position, the water passing through the restricted orifice at the discharge end of the bore 5 will exert a jet pump or so-called venturi action on the detergent containing fluid which enters the annular recess 23 through the passages described and will draw. such fluid with it, thus causing a detergent I solution to be discharged from the spray head against the dish, cooking utensil or other object which is being cleaned. When the valve member 31 is closed, the flow of detergent containing fluid is stopped at a point close to the point of mixing and hence the stream or spray will be one of clear rinsing water almost immediately.

Referring now to the modifiedform of valve and jet pump means shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12, all elements which are substantially identical with corresponding elements in Figs 1-9 have been given the same identifying numbers.

In this form, the discharge end of the body member I is provided with a shallow counterbore or recess 56' adapted to receive the flange 51 of a. fluid channel member 58, the body portion of which is of substantially frusto-conical configuration and is engaged by the correspond ingly shaped shoulder portion 59 of the nipple l5 which nipple is internally threaded to engage the threads on the body member I. The bore 5 at its discharge end is provided with a shallow counter-bore 60 in which a resilient sealing ring 6| is held by the adjacent end face of the member 58. The member 58 at its outer or free end is provided with an axial bore 62 which bore within the member is intersected by a bore 63 extending from a point in registry with the bore 5 to the axial line of the member 58.

The bore 1 terminates in a counterbore 64 at the bottom of which is seated a rigid ring 65 adapted to form a shoulder for a resilient sealing ring 58 and the end face of member 58 is provided with a laterally projecting annular flange portion 51 adapted to enter the counterbore 64 and engage the other side of the sealing ring 66. Disposed axially of the flange 61 and extending outwardly through the member 58 is a fluid passage 68 which at its outer end is enlarged as at 69. llhis. passage emerges from the outer face in a hollow frusto-conical chamber 10 formed by a clearance H in the inner surface of the nipple l5.

The reduced diameter portion of the valve member 31 at the end thereof adjacent the member 58 is of such size as to engage the interior of the sealing ring 66 when the valve is closed and the frusto-conical face 12 beyond the reduced diameter portion is adapted to engage a corresponding face 13 at the end of the bore 68 to limit the extent of movement of the valve member, the sealing being accomplished by the engagement with the ring 66. -The valve memher is likewise provided with a second reduced diameter portion 48 adapted, incident to closing the valve, to enter the bore 68 and remove any obstruction in the same manner as has been described in connection. with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to. 9 inclusive.

The nipple [5 at its outer end is provided with an axially disposed bore 14 which is in registry with the adjacent axial bore 62 in the member 58. Consequently when water is flowing through the bore 5 it will be conducted through bores 63 and 52 into the bore 14 the adjacent end of which is spaced slightly from the end of the member 62 to afford communication with the chamber 18. When the valve member 31 is moved to permit fluid flow through the bore 68, the stream of water flowing through bores 62 and 14 will operate as a jet pump on the fluid entering the chamber 10 and thus will draw detergent solution into the stream delivered to the spray head l6. When the valve is shut, the stream of water will immediately become clear and, the rinsing action can proceed without appreciable wait for the water to clear up.

While in the foregoing description reference has been made to the term "dishwashing and while this invention will find its principal utility for 7 that purpose, it will be appreciated that the in vention will be equally useful for washing other articles with equal utility and efliciency, wherefore the term dishwashing wherever used is not intended as a term of limitation.

While I have shown and described a. specific embodiment of my invention I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a spray nozzle for dishwashing apparatus, a body member having a cylindrical passage extending longitudinally thereof, a slot extending transversely of said body and intersecting said passage and having a bottom portion, a valve member comprising a cylindrical -member mounted for reciprocation in said passage and extending across said slot, a valve seat at one end of said passage adapted to be engaged by one end of said valve member, a passage extending longitudinally of said valve member and terminating in a cross bore adjacent the valve seat engaging portion thereof, detent engaging means disposed in the bottom of said slot and a spring detent movable with said valve engageable with said engaging means and operable to hold said valve member in open position.

2. In a spray nozzle for dishwashing apparatus, a body member having a cylindrical passage extending longitudinally thereof, a slot extending transversely of said body and intersecting said passage and having a bottom portion, a valve member comprising a cylindrical member mounted for reciprocation in said passage and extending across said slot a valve seat at one end of said passage adapted to be engaged by one end of said valve member, a passage extending longitudinally of said valve member and terminating in a cross bore adjacent the valve seat engaging portion, thereof, detent engaging means disposed in the bottom of said slot and a spring detent movable with said valve engageable with said engaging means and operable to hold said valve member in either open or closed position.

3. In a spray nozzle for dishwashing apparatus, a body member having a cylindrical passage extending longitudinally thereof, an insulating sleeve provided with a slot surrounding said body member, a slot extending transversely of said body and intersecting said passage, a valve member including a cylindrical valve stem mounted for reciprocation in said passage and extending across said slot a valve seat at one end of said passage adapted to be engaged by one end of said valve member, a passage extending longitudinally of said valve member and terminating in a cross bore adjacent the valve seat engaging portion thereof and means extending into said slot and engaging said valve member constructed and arranged to efiect movement of said valve member toward and away from said valve seat, said means comprising a yoke member slidably engaging the sides of the body member in the region of the slot and having a tongue member projecting into said slot and engaging the end walls of a recess formed in the periphery of said valve stem, said yoke member being held against displacement by engagement with the inner surface of said insulating sleeve, a hand piece disposed externally of said sleeve and having a tongue portion extending through the slot in said sleeve and engaging a groove in the yoke member whereby the yoke member and hand piece are held against relative rotation.

EUGENE M. MOREHOUSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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